Subaru & Center For Pet Safety Give Safe Furry Friend Travel Tips

As the 3-row SUV segment becomes increasingly popular for growing families, which in many cases include our four-legged friends, Subaru of America, Inc., and the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit research and consumer advocacy organization, unveiled today their recommendations for safe pet travel in SUVs and the dangers of improperly securing our furry family. In a crash, a pet who is not properly secured can become a projectile, resulting in serious injury or worse for both them and the human passengers. That is why Subaru and CPS are working together again to raise awareness around vital safety measures for man's best friend, so entire families can adventure together safely.

As larger, 3-row SUVs have become more prominent in the market, Subaru and CPS analyzed the design and spacing in these larger vehicles and have identified the safest, and most dangerous, places for pets to travel based on the unique design of 3-row SUVs. To ensure safety for all travelers in a 3-row SUV with captain's chairs, pets should ideally be secured in the second or third row, and follow this simple guide:

Pets 20 lb. or less can be harnessed or secured in carriers in the 2nd row Captain's Chair

Larger pets, more than 20 lb., should be properly secured and travel in the 3rd row bench directly behind one of the Captain's Chairs

NEVER place your pet on the floor between the Captain's Chairs in 3-row SUV models, as this could result in the pet becoming a projectile and cause serious injury to both the pet and vehicle passengers

When traveling with both children and pets in a 3-row vehicle with Captain's Chairs, secure the child in the 2nd row and secure the pet in the 3rd row, on the opposite side of the vehicle as the child

"Following these simple tips will help to minimize the risk of injury in the event of a crash and in all cases, pets should be properly secured to prevent distractions for the driver and prevent serious injury to both the pet and vehicle passengers," said Lindsey Wolko, Founder and CEO, Center for Pet Safety. "Thanks to partners like Subaru, we can bring awareness to the safest ways for pets to come along on family adventures, while preventing potentially devastating accidents."